Kestrel with prey (the continuation)

Here is another shot of the female Kestrel. This is taken briefly before the last shot. This photo is a lesson in what not to do: Normally the Kestrel would land in a dense bush, so I put a perch nearby. Unfortunately I chose the nearest branch I could find, one having two perches. That mean that when the Kestrel is sitting on the lower one, it's tail is partly hidden by the other top. Luckily this perch also give some funny shots. Here the Kestrel is jumping from the top to the lower perch. It was like a child, as soon as it got down, it started looking up at the perch it left

I know there is no catch-light here, but that's just the way it is, as the sun was behind the bird.

20D + 500/4; iso400 f5.6 1/640; cropped to vertical.

BTW: The bird was there agian today, and hid two more voles in the grass.

No catchlight maybe - but an interesting behaviour shot nevertheless. Nicely exposed and sharp where it needs to be.



dennis

Hi Helge
I like your series on the Kestrel

Can't have it all Helge. I would just enjoy the shots you can get of one of these in the wild. Obviously facing the camera would have been better, but a nice behavioural shot nonetheless. Thanks for posting and look forward to more.

Graeme

Hi Helge

As Graeme said flying toward the camera would have been better but still a great action shot and one that I would take. I would also look for a more photogenic perch without additional branches as you will probably find they will detract from the image!

David

A take what you can and be grateful situation I think although as has already been suggested it is within your power to change the perch. I hope you get further opportunities to develop this.

Regards

JohnS

Maybe things you could do to improve it, but I expect most people would be pleased to have a shot like this in their collection!

Another fine shot Helge and very much enjoyed reading your observations about the kestrels behaviour.Will no doubt come in very handy one day.